FAQ – Small Business Loans

Over the years since 1994, we have compiled a list of terms and ideas that small business owners can use to help them better understand financing their business. If you have any specific questions you believe should go here, please send us an email to info@bfs-usa.com or fill out our contact form! We will answer your questions promptly!

What are asset-based loans (ABL) – asset-based lender?

Most banks loan money based on a company’s historical profits and ability to repay the loan. Assets as collateral are important to banks but not as important as a companies’ track record. Asset-based lenders look at the considerations in reverse. They look at the value of both short-term and long-term assets and relay on the value of the assets to make the loan. They may still care about the company’s financial strength, but don’t care about it as much as the value of the assets they are going to lend money against.

Why do I need a cash flow forecast?

Cash flow forecasts are essential to a growing business. Any business that is growing over 20% a year should use a 13 week cash flow forecast. A cash flow forecast helps you sleep at night and allows you to see in advance when you are going to have a surplus or shortage of cash to operate your business.

What is accounts receivable financing?

Accounts receivable financing is a type of asset-based loan where the lender loans money against the value of a company’s accounts receivable. This is also often called invoice factoring. Typically accounts receivable lenders will advance between 75% and 95% of the value of invoices less than 60 days old. The lender is repaid when the customer repays.

How long does it take to set-up an invoice factoring line of credit?

The time varies from lender to lender, but a good ball park is 7 – 10 days.

Equipment financing – How long do I have to be in business?

Many equipment lenders now require a business to have been established for at least 2 years before they will finance equipment. There are exceptions to the rule, especially when the borrower has other collateral that can be put up or when the value of the equipment being finances is low.

What is the difference between recourse and non-recourse invoice factoring?

In general there are two types of factoring arrangements. Recourse factoring is treated on your books as a pure loan. While the factoring company may purchase one or all of your invoices, they have a right under their contract with you to have you pay the loan back at the point when they are 90 days from date of invoice or advance. Non-recourse factoring contracts provide an additional level of risk mitigation for you. A non-recourse factoring company buys the invoice without recourse. This means if your customer doesn’t pay then you don’t have to repay the factoring company money they advanced.

Government Contracts – Can I get a bank loan to financing my materials for a government contract?

Possibly, however most banks don’t like to finance government contracts. The good news is that you have other financing options like accounts receivable financing or purchase order financing. For more details on these types of financing see our presentation on government financing. Click on this link: Financing Government Contracts

Got more small business loan questions?

We have got answers! If you have any specific questions we have not answered here, please send us an email to info@bfs-usa.com or fill out our contact form! We will answer your questions promptly and post it here (if applicable).

By the way, if your question can’t wait – just call us. Our business finance experts are always eager to help business owners with your questions. 512-990-8756